Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In this demo, we'll show you how to enrol your workers
using secure file transfer or SFTP.
This method is useful for uploading large CSV or XML files,
as there's no limit to file size.
You may want to use SFTP
if you intend to automate your process.
You'll also have the option to collect
return files from NEST via SFTP.
SFTP should only be used by employers
who are comfortable with using the technology.
You can refer to the
How to set up and use file transfer protocol guide on our website.
To connect to our server and transfer files using SFTP,
you'll need SFTP client software.
To set up SFTP, both you and NEST must generate
public and private keys and then exchange public keys with each other.
There's more detail on the process of setting up SFTP on our website.
Once you've set up your SFTP account and prepared your CSV or XML file,
you're ready to transfer it to NEST.
You'll need to follow the instructions
from your SFTP software to send the file.
To help with the quality of your files,
use our CSV templates and XSD schemas.
You'll find technical information in our Employer payroll guide.
NEST then processes your file.
The time this takes depends on the number of member records in the file
and the time of day we receive it.
If your file is received before 6 pm and contains fewer than 1000 workers,
it will be processed within 2 hours
or overnight for files with more than 1000.
NEST checks the file to ensure that the file is in the correct format and structure,
for example, whether it is a CSV or an XML file
and that it has header, detail and trailer sections.
We then check that the mandatory data fields are completed.
The next step is for NEST to check other data in the file is complete,
such as whether you've included the employer reference number.
Finally, NEST performs member-level checks,
such as whether you've supplied a valid National Insurance number
or alternative unique identifier
and if there are any inconsistencies between fields like title and gender.
If you've asked to receive return files,
NEST then produces a successful enrolments file
telling you that the enrolments have been successfully processed.
The successful enrolment file also contains
the start and end dates of the workers' opt-out period.
This will be in the member enrolment outbox subfolder.
If there are any enrolment errors,
you'll have an unsuccessful enrolments file and an enrolment error log file to collect.
An unsuccessful enrolments file is a file containing
all members for which there is an error.
The enrolment error log file details the different errors
for each of the members contained in the unsuccessful enrolments file.
You can correct the errors by making changes to the file
and transferring or uploading it again.
Or you can make changes to one member's data at a time,
on screen via the File upload history screen in your secure employer area.
Following successful enrolment your workers
will receive their Member welcome pack in the post.
They'll also receive an email from us three working days after they've been enrolled,
as long as you've given us their email address.
This will confirm that they've been enrolled.
To find out about enrolling workers manually or using file upload,
please return to our website.